Ever since the York Barbell Club was organized back in the late twenties, a champion or two was always found among its membership, although in those days the club was known as the York Oil Burner A.C.

However, by 1937 its members dominated all championships and the majority of national records were held by this club.

I didn’t become an active member until 1937, although I lived and trained in York with the other members a year before.

I found the environment pleasant and inducing.

However, it wasn’t the method along that was so unique which made each and every champion a champion, but chiefly the companionship that existed among these fellows which helped to mold them into the fine fellows they were.

They talked, ate, slept and lived weight-lifting.

Every man tried to help another and pointed out his faults.

To be sure, competition on a friendly basis was always keen, and some rivalry existed, but this only stimulated rather than hindered their interest or ambition.

Even today, while we do not have the large number of lifters training in York as we had twenty years ago, those of us who are still here try to offer a helping hand to those who show any ambition and possess potential ability for lifting.

Examples of this are Chuck Vinci and Isaac Berger, both of whom were fair lifters before coming to York but improved sufficiently to win the Olympic title in Melbourne recently.

Vinci’s average total was a little over 600 pounds before coming to York, while Berger used to frequent our local meets and compete against Yas Kuzuhara, totaling 635 to 670 when in top form.

However, in winning the 1955 Nationals he did total a little over 700, which was excellent, but compare that total with the record total he made in Melbourne and you get some idea of his improvement.

But these men worked for their goal and received encouragement from everyone here, in particular Bob Hoffman, who seemed to have more confidence in these two men than they had in themselves!

But wishing will not make anyone a champion.. you’ve got to buckle down and work hard towards that goal!

This article originally appeared in Strength and Health magazine